Mobile Addiction as a Contemporary Problem - Research Paper Example

In addition, the authors identify a significant level of depression with at least four symptoms of problematic cellular phone use (CPU). About 48 per cent of the study’s participants reported at least a problematic CPU and this, considered together with the percentage that reported severe depression, suggests that a significant percentage of adolescents who use cellular phones suffer from depression because of the usage.

Elements of problematic CPU and functional impairments that cellular usage and addiction cause are also symptoms of depression and this identify the addiction as a factor in depression. Withdrawal symptoms in the absence of CPU usage, poor interpersonal relationships, poor academic performance, and poor physical and psychological activity are some of the symptoms of problematic CPU that relates to depression and identify addictive cellular phone usage as a cause of depression. The number of reported problems associated with addictive cellular phone usage is also positively correlated with the level of depression and this means that low-level addiction that has a lower number of problems identifies low-level depression.

Gender, age, and residential area moderate the relationship (Yen et al., 2009). Mobile phone usage also influences people’s behaviour into addictive phone use and this has effects on behaviour in other scopes. According to a study by Deursen, Bolle, Hegner, and Kommers (2015), using smartphones develops into an addiction to the operation of the phones. This means that an individual who has the phone and is using it is likely to evolve into habitual usage such as consistency in making calls, sending messages, and using internet applications on the phone.

The developed habit of phone usage, which can also define phone addiction, means little time for social interactions and other activities such as studies to define a person’s tight schedule and limited social relationship. Many factors moderate the effect of phone usage on behaviour. Using the phone for social media interaction is an example and increases the chances of addictive phone behaviour. This is however more significant in women than in men and influences behaviour in other scopes such as physical social interaction and daily schedules because the more time a person spends on social media and cellular phones, the less time is available for other activities.

Social stress and poor self-control are other moderator factors to the addictive effects of cellular phones on behaviour. Age is another moderator factor to the effects on behaviour with older people being less susceptible. Continued developments in technology that improve features of cellular phones to make them more attractive are therefore a threat to behaviour, especially among adolescents. This is because usage of the features is likely to be addictive into cellular usage behaviour and to influence behaviour in other scopes.